The investment objective of the Sub-Fund is to attain long term growth of capital by means of a diversified portfolio through investment in equity and equity-related securities of companies, at least 90% of which have assets, products or operations based in the United States and are included in the Russell 1000 Index. Up to 10% of the value of the Sub-Fund may be invested in other companies which have a US Stock Exchange listing. The Russell 1000 Index is constructed by the Russell Investment Group to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the large-cap segment of the US equity universe and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure new and growing equities are reflected.